WATCH: Concerned coalition applauds province's halting of new downtown overdose prevention site

VANCOUVER — A coalition of concerned residents, politicians, business owners, and industry representatives gathered downtown Thursday morning to commend the community's successful opposition to a new overdose prevention site at 900 Helmcken St.

On Wednesday — just days before the facility was slated to open — Health Minister Josie Osborne announced that the province would not be moving forward with the site, at least for the foreseeable future.

Among those who commended the move was a local business owner, whose hair salon sits directly across the street from the proposed site.

"I'm not here because I don't care about people who are struggling with addiction," she said. "I’m here because I’m scared. I'm tired of being made to feel that my fear, and the fear of every woman standing beside me today, is something to be ashamed of."

She noted that she was only given three weeks notice of the new site's arrival, and that multiple clients cancelled on her after finding out themselves.

"I've watched people shoot up at my doorstep, I've stepped over people sleeping in my entrance, I've let clients out the back door because there's an aggressive, drug-affected person blocking my front," she continued. "I've cleaned human feces off my front steps, I've had lewd remarks shouted at me, and my block has experienced break-ins."

She lamented the lack of consultation, and urged those in power to take her words, and those of her fellow business owners, seriously.

"I've never asked for this service to be eliminated," she added. "I am asking on behalf of every woman-owned business in this block to be treated as a stakeholder. That is not a radical request; that is the bare minimum."

According to Vancouver Police Chief Constable Steve Rai, data collected during the run of a now-shuttered overdose prevention site at 1101 Seymour St. showed that there were "significant" impacts on crime in the area. The number of 911 calls rose an fell in line with its operation and closure.

Also in attendance were representatives from various industries, including hospitality.

"We shouldn't have to stand here and plead with the provincial government to collaborate," he said. "This is our community ... We should all have the right to have an opinion and to be part of the solution."

He warned that "it may be too late" to save Vancouver's "brand" amid ongoing crime and drug-fuelled street disorder.

"It makes me sad that we’re on the cusp of FIFA and having this conversation," he said. "It’s wrong."

"The province's decision to pause 900 Helmcken shows what's possible when a community stands together," Mayor Sim said. "Three weeks ago, we committed to use every single tool in our toolbox to make this not happen, and guess what? Collectively together we used every single tool and there is a pause on this."

He noted that "none of us are against helping vulnerable individuals in the city we love," and that, "all we want to do is see that it’s done properly — not at the cost of destroying a neighbourhood."

"Let me be clear, 900 Helmcken is not the right place for these services," Sim continued. "We will ensure that this site doesn't open at 900 Helmcken, or in a similar location."

He suggested nearby St. Paul's Hospital "represents a real opportunity to do this the right way, with doctors, nurses, mental health supports, security, policing, direct pathways to detox and treatment, and actual care where needed."

"Anything less isn't good enough for the people that we're trying to help," Sim concluded, "or for the surrounding community."

WATCH: Health minister vows to ‘push forward’ on Vancouver overdose prevention site despite mayor’s objection

It’s new location will be 900 Helmcken Street, just across the street from the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel.

Sitka MediaJarryd Jäger

The original Thomus Donaghy Overdose Prevention Site was shut down in January after nearly five years in operation as the only such public facility in the downtown core. During that time, it responded to 480 overdoses and recorded 149,603 visits.